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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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WEIRD Naighbours! Meth? Something else?

98 replies

FortunesFave · 09/03/2021 20:18

I posted the other day about the Air B&B and their bins...well that's sorted now. I'm now posting about the neighbours on the other side.

We've met them for a hello only once in the three weeks we've been here. They consist of a very elderly man and also a woman and her son.

The elderly man I will call Bob. This is Australia by the way. Now Bob is about 75 and not in great physical shape but he's very friendly and seemed nice.

His housemates - because that's what they are, struck me as odd.

She's in her late 60s or early 70s and we can call her Mary and her son Joe is about 50. Bob told me he'd once owned the house they all live in but about 30 years ago he sold it and the buyer continued to rent it to Bob.

Bob also said "The landlord doesn't like Mary and Joe living here with me. He tries to get them out...but they've helped me. They had nowhere to live...before they came I was in a mess. They've tidied the house and garden and sorted all the junk. It's a lot better than when I was alone."

But over the weeks I've heard the odd shouting argument and there was one time the cops came. All they were doing was talking to Bob though.

Anyway...three morning ago it was early and still a bit dark, I looked out off my balcony and into their front garden and saw Mary crawling around the garden in her dressing gown picking at the grass.

Their lawn is very scrubby..just the odd patch of grass and she was it seemed, picking single blades of grass over and over again, very concentrated.

I thought "Must be some gardening thing" but was Confused

Then DH told me he'd seen her doing the same thing another evening.

Then last night, I went to bed early, about 9.30pm and their garden is sort of below our bedroom and I could hear the son talking but couldn't make out what he was saying...and noises. And DH came in and said "They're digging out there in the dark!" and they were! I could hear the spade.

We only heard the son and the Mother's voice. Now DH is convinced they've killed Joe and were burying him....I'm convinced they're meth addicts though and are doing weird things because I've heard meth addicts do repetative, pointless tasks when they're off their heads.

This area is odd. It's very beautiful but not long ago it was a bit rougher than it is now...it's being gentrified so there are AIr B&Bs on the one hand and then really scruffy little shack type houses too.

Should I call in a welfare check on Joe? Or not worry because the police are already aware of them? He seemed ok when I spoke to him last...

OP posts:
FortunesFave · 09/03/2021 20:19

I meant should I worry about BOB not Joe! Bob is the old man...we've not seen him for a few days. Is he buried in the garden or was the night time digging just another odd, behaviour like the picking at grass?

OP posts:
BakedTattie · 09/03/2021 20:23

Would it not be more likely they’ve dropped something - maybe an earring? - in the grass and are looking for it?!

Hellodarknessmyoldpal · 09/03/2021 20:25

Could you think of an excuse to pop round and speak to Bob?

FortunesFave · 09/03/2021 20:27

@BakedTattie

Would it not be more likely they’ve dropped something - maybe an earring? - in the grass and are looking for it?!
That's a thought...I suppose she could have been groping about for something like that but why choose half light to do that? Twice we've seen her do it and in half light. No torch or anything.
OP posts:
FortunesFave · 09/03/2021 20:29

@Hellodarknessmyoldpal

Could you think of an excuse to pop round and speak to Bob?
I'm a bit nervous because there's a big mastiff in the garden but I can definitely keep an extra eye out for Bob and if I see him, ask over the fence if he's ok.

If I don't see him then I might ask her where he is. I don't like the son and he's never spoken to me or DH.

The woman's a bit...snippy. Not friendly. But I can definitely ask.

OP posts:
FortunesFave · 09/03/2021 20:30

And I should point out that until about three days ago, we'd see Joe every day either in the garden or getting on his bike to ride to the shops. I don't think they've offed him...that would be a far reach...but maybe he's not being treated well?

OP posts:
tellmetologoffIamaMNaddict · 09/03/2021 20:30

I would do a welfare check but I do listen to a lot of true crime. There is a podcast called The Shrink Next Door you might listen to!

cardibach · 09/03/2021 20:54

@FortunesFave

And I should point out that until about three days ago, we'd see Joe every day either in the garden or getting on his bike to ride to the shops. I don't think they've offed him...that would be a far reach...but maybe he's not being treated well?
You seem to have mixed up Joe and Bob again here OP. Makes me wonder if this is a badly thought out fiction.
ReverendRicketyCricket · 09/03/2021 20:56

My but don't you have an eventful life! You must be exhausted.

Stoppissingonmyheather · 09/03/2021 21:34

I know why don't you knock on the door and say hi is ole man Joe in? See what they say strike up a conversation that you are worried about him what's wrong with that? Australia you say? Perhaps they have found some green ants/killer insect eggs/strange underground creature evidence in the grass and are examing the lawn for this digging it up to get rid of the giant snakes nest that is under the grass? I know... Another revelation... Ask them!

MrsTulipTattsyrup · 09/03/2021 21:48

Goodness, you have tipped up on an exciting street! Do keep us posted on anything else which transpires.

(And it’s a good idea to keep the names of your characters straight. Maybe put them on post its on a wall, alongside their plot points. I gather it helps)

prettythepig · 09/03/2021 21:53

Joes buried under the patio

prettythepig · 09/03/2021 21:54

Or scattered over the lawn and they mixed him up with the grass seeds

prettythepig · 09/03/2021 21:55

Poor ol joe

mnahmnah · 09/03/2021 21:57

BOB. The old guy is Bob! Or is he? Joe?

prettythepig · 09/03/2021 22:04

Fuck knows either bob or ole joe has been scattered over the garden

prettythepig · 09/03/2021 22:04

And there on meth

dappledsunshine · 09/03/2021 22:08

Bob is the dead old man and Joe is the methhead lodger.

FortunesFave · 09/03/2021 22:09

Oh really! The reason I got the names mixed up is because they're not the real ones! Bob is the old man and Joe is the son...

OP posts:
FortunesFave · 09/03/2021 22:10

And I've been on MN for ages! I wouldn't make stuff up...it's ridiculous. If I DID make something up it wouldn't be this random and uneventful!

OP posts:
ComtesseDeSpair · 09/03/2021 22:19

So they’re housemates? Or a son and his mother and (presumably) her partner?

Why on earth would your immediate leap from them being a big eccentric be to they just be murdering meth addicts? Confused It’s more likely one of the older couple is developing dementia or similar.

FortunesFave · 09/03/2021 22:55

@ComtesseDeSpair

So they’re housemates? Or a son and his mother and (presumably) her partner?

Why on earth would your immediate leap from them being a big eccentric be to they just be murdering meth addicts? Confused It’s more likely one of the older couple is developing dementia or similar.

The older man is the renter of the house and has been for 30 years. He has quite recently let this woman and her son live with him as they were homeless. They helped him clear the garden of accumulated junk.

The lady has a way about her...she basically looks and acts like a drug addict. The meth issue is huge in our state...people of all ages take it.

Their odd hours and odd activities do seem a bit "methy"

OP posts:
FortunesFave · 09/03/2021 22:56

And the fact that the older man told me his landlord isn't happy about the mother and son living there PLUS a visit from the cops all makes me a bit wary.

OP posts:
MaitlandGirl · 09/03/2021 23:01

Meth is a HUGE problem in some areas of Australia, it’s a hateful, nasty drug and it’s ruining so many lives.

There’s nothing wrong with asking for a welfare check - if you’re concerned then def call the police.

Andv · 09/03/2021 23:08

If you are concern just go to check on him. Please keep us update !

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